The SOMSD Newsletter
December 1st, 2023 - Vol. 1, Issue 1
Dr. Gilbert Goes To 10 Schools (And One Annex) In 10 Days
Newly-appointed acting superintendent hits the ground running from his first day
Dr. Kevin F. Gilbert hit the ground running on Monday, November 13th, his first day as the District's acting superintendent. Although it was one of the coldest mornings of the year, Gilbert greeted everyone with warm smiles and handshakes at Clinton Elementary School. Since then, Gilbert has visited all 10 of the District’s schools, plus the South Mountain Annex, in 10 non-consecutive days.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to start this new appointment,” said Gilbert. “My intention with these school visits was simply to make sure that students, families, and staff members knew who the new acting superintendent is. But I think we’ve accomplished much more than that. I appreciate every one of the receptive, encouraging, and friendly people I have met during these visits. It’s a great reminder of why I went into education in the first place, and it has fed my optimism for the work ahead in the District.”
Gilbert thanked all of the District’s school principals and their staff members for accommodating his visits during the past three weeks.
As Dr. Gilbert made his rounds, there were incidental encounters he had along the way, that showed just how dynamic the District is. For example, while walking through South Mountain Elementary School, Gilbert and Principal Kevin Mason entered a classroom where an anesthesiologist was demonstrating how to intubate a patient to students.
Over at Delia Bolden Elementary School, Math and Science Teacher Kristin Harris showed Gilbert the dozens of trout she and her classes are raising in her classroom. Down the hall, Gilbert met Third Grade Teacher and SOMSD alumna Alana Ferruggiaro, who played guard for the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team coached by the legendary C. Vivian Stringer.
At Columbia High School, Gilbert grabbed a photo op with Alex Simon, head coach of the 2023 Champion Boys Cross Country Team.
And while he visited South Orange Middle School, Gilbert met Selica Blagrove, a special education teacher who was reporting for her first day of work at the school.
“Good things are happening every day in our schools. That is one of the most powerful reminders I’m taking away from this tour I’ve been on during the past couple of weeks,” Gilbert said. “Everything we do must be for the benefit of our students, and there is much work to be done as we all strive to become a better school District for all students. But right now, we have many dedicated, creative people working to serve our students and families, and wonderful people in the South Orange and Maplewood communities who support our efforts. All I can feel is gratitude for everyone after spending time in all of our schools.”
Photos of Gilbert’s school visits are interspersed throughout this newsletter. They can also be seen at the District’s Facebook account at www.facebook.com/somsdk12 and Instagram account at www.instagram.com@somsdk12
Clinton Elementary School - Monday, November 13th
Cold Day, Warm Handshake
Off The Bus
Walking With Principal Butler
CHS Freshman Academy & International Club Welcome Multilingual Learners
Columbia High School (CHS)'s Freshman Academy collaborated with CHS' Multilingual Program and CHS' International Club to hold a special event for multilingual learners and their families on November 15th. The event featured food and performances from a variety of different nations and cultures. The program included remarks from CHS Principal Frank Sanchez and Supervisor of World Languages and Multilingual Learning Dr. Roman Robles who welcomed students and families to the event. Also among those present were Assistant Principal Tracie Morrison, Assistant Principal Luisa Iuliano-Cabrera, School Counselors Yolande Flemming and Kelly Murphy, Teacher Danielle Cayo, and Consultant Karen Weiland. The purpose of the event was to welcome the multilingual learner students and families to the CHS community and celebrate our many different cultures.
Principal Sanchez Speaks
Ms. Cayo Welcomes Students and Families
Yolande Flemming, Karen Weiland, Kelly Murphy
Click on the flyer above for more information.
Maplewood Middle School - Tuesday, November 14th
Principal Gronau and Dr. Gilbert Showing Their Cougar Pride
Greeting A Teacher
Walking With Principal Gronau
Welcoming Students
DMC Comes To MMS
Darryl McDaniels, a.k.a."DMC." The King Of Rock - ing the House
Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC gives an unforgettable motivational talk to middle-schoolers
Thirty-eight years after he proclaimed, “I won’t stop rockin’ ‘til I retire!” as half of the legendary hip-hop duo Run-DMC, Darryl McDaniels took to the stage at Maplewood Middle School (MMS) Tuesday, Nov. 21st showing no signs of slowing down.
The 59-year-old McDaniels, a.k.a. "DMC," had a commanding stage presence as he sported a black AC/DC t-shirt and a pristine pair of white Adidas as he delivered a new proclamation – one for the middle schoolers in his audience.
“I’m not just a rapper. I am a real-life ‘show and tell’ here to tell you this: You have a purpose and a destiny,” he said.
The voice that was at the forefront of pioneering hits including “It’s Tricky,” “You Be Illin,’” and “My Adidas,” came to MMS to deliver what he called the positive messages of hip-hop through the lens of his own life story.
MMS Dance Teacher Caroline Ogando had worked with Principal Dara Gronau and Assistant Principals Louis Brown and Peter Kassalow to bring McDaniels to the school and speak to the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders.
“We do an incredible hip-hop unit where we learn all about the 70s, the 80s, the 90s, and the 2000s and try to bridge the gap between older styles of music to today,” said Ogando. “Having Darryl McDaniels here makes all of those lessons come to life. He is the ultimate hip-hop primary source.”
“To have an icon of hip-hop who is willing to give his time to middle school students so soon after we all celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop is such a tremendous learning opportunity,” said Gronau. “We are very grateful for Mr. McDaniels’ generosity and hope he comes to visit us again.”
Caroline Ogando, Darryl McDaniels, Dance Teacher Kandice Point-Du-Jour
Darryl McDaniels Responding To A Student's Question
Students Dressed For the Occasion
Students asked McDaniels questions about a variety of topics including how Run-DMC began, why they decided to write a song about Adidas. At the end of the session students performed a special dance routine to “It’s Tricky,” choreographed by Ogando.
As he answered the students’ questions, McDaniels took flight in telling his story. There weren’t any beats, and only a couple of rhymes, but McDaniels worked the stage as if he were playing a gig at the Apollo.
He spoke about his growing up in the Hollis neighborhood in Queens, New York in the 1970s. At that time, he heard “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugerhill Gang, the track often cited as the birth of hip-hop, which sparked his interest in hip-hop, and ignited his rap writing abilities.
He talked about his friendship with Joseph Simmons, a.k.a. "Run," and how it led to the forming of Run-DMC and the positivity it was founded upon as they wrote about their lives, their surroundings, and their favorite brand of sneakers.
And while their song, “My Adidas,” did lead to an endorsement contract with the sneaker giant, McDaniels said that it wasn’t something they actively pursued because, as he said to the young audience, “Your life is not about getting things. Your life is about giving.” The contract with Adidas happened because Run-DMC used their talents to create the song.
As a part of Run-DMC, McDaniels performed at some of the biggest venues and historic concert events, including the Hip-Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium last August when they performed with Nas, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube, and the Live Aid concert to end world hunger in 1985. On that day, they shared the bill with Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Madonna, and many other pop music icons.
After his talk, McDaniels gave plenty of time to sign autographs and take selfies with his fans young and older. He even signed one staff member’s pair of Adidas.
McDaniels brought undeniable positive energy to MMS, but most of all he encouraged the students to be themselves and work to build the successes they want to accomplish.
“To be successful at whatever it is that you do, take advantage of every educational, creative, and artistic opportunity that comes your way,” he said.
MMS Dancers With DMC
The MMS Administrative Team With DMC
DMC On The Mic
South Mountain Annex - Wednesday, November 15th
We were silly. Now we're serious.
And A Good Morning To You!
Chillin' (Literally) With Assistant Principal Cicenia
Delia Bolden Elementary School Student’s Artwork Featured in NJPAC Exhibition
Henry Weinstein’s “One Left Standing” to be displayed until January
The artwork of Henry Weinstein, a fifth-grader at Delia Bolden Elementary School, is currently on display at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in a special student exhibition presented in part by the Art Educators of New Jersey.
“I was really surprised,” said Weinstein about his reaction to the news that his artwork, a piece he named “One Left Standing,” was chosen. “I didn’t think it would be a winner and I wasn’t thinking it would win when I entered it in the contest. I was just really surprised when my parents told me it got in.”
Henry’s parents, Scott and Abby Weinstein, were also delighted by their son’s achievement.
“We’re really proud of Henry and the hard work he put into this piece,” said Scott Weinstein. “We also love that Ms. [Eva] McNally [one of Henry’s art teachers] is so supportive and encouraging of Henry’s imagination. We feel very lucky that our school district has such a vibrant arts program.”
Weinstein created “One Left Standing” during Black History Month earlier this year, when he was in the fourth grade, and McNally had set up different stations in her classroom, each dedicated to a different Black artist.
“Henry made that piece at the Genesis Tramaine station,” said McNally, referring to his submission to the art exhibition. “Tramaine is a spiritual, expressionist, portrait artist. They had to paint whatever their vibe was at the moment.”
To create his piece, Henry made a monoprint using tempera paint. Then, on the following day, he used Sharpie markers and pastels to add a second layer to the picture, McNally said.
“Henry is naturally talented in art,” said McNally, “but what makes his work extra special is all the hard work he puts in and his original ideas.”
McNally said that the young artist has made a positive impression on his teachers and classmates.
“Henry is always a model student who is kind to his peers and stays on task,” she said.
Henry said he likes McNally’s class and all of the art teachers in the Delia Bolden Elementary School Art Department.
“We get a lot of time on each activity so we can put a lot of work into them. And that we do a lot of different varieties of activities, like painting and sculpting,” he said.
Weinstein’s “One Left Standing” will be on display at NJPAC until January.
Click the flyer above for more information.
South Mountain Elementary School - Wednesday, November 15th
Discussing Today's Lesson
Walking With Principal Mason
"Thank you for all that you do."
Delia Bolden Elementary School - Thursday, November 16th
Smiling With Ms. Ferruggiaro And Principal Hutchinson
Dropping By A Classrom
"Pleased To Meet You"
60 baby trout? In there?
South Orange Middle School - Monday, November 20th
Autumn leaves. Bus arrives.
"Give it up for math!"
A Selfie Moment with Principal Irby
Incidental Meeting On Teacher's First Day Leads to "Super-Intended" Welcome
Welcome To Your Life
As Dr. Gilbert visited South Orange Middle School (SOMS) last week, he happened to meet Selica Blagrove, a special education teacher who was in the main office reporting for her first day of teaching. Gilbert warmly welcomed Blagrove and wished her all the best as she joined the District family.
Columbia High School - Tuesday, November 21st
With BOE Student Representative Gwyneth Brown, center, and her friend.
Good Morning and Welcome
We Know It's Going To Be A Lovely Day
Mr. Ellis Welcomes Dr. Gilbert
Ms. Knight Starts A Good Day With Dr. Gilbert
Leader Of Champions
Dr. Gilbert greets Alex Simon, Head Coach of the 2023 Essex County Champion Boys X-Country Team
CHS Graduate Turned Medical School Student Comes Home To Inspire Students
Marvens Jean, Class of 2016 alum, gives students a taste of a life in medicine
When he was a junior at Columbia High School (CHS), Marvens Jean was interested in becoming a doctor but had no idea what it would take.
“There was no one in my life who was in the medical world,” Jean said.
So he started a club – the CHS Pre-Med Club – with a couple of friends. They hoped to book
doctors as guest speakers who would tell them the good, the bad, and the ugly about a career in
medicine. Their first guest was a neurosurgeon whose daughter attended the high school.
Fast forward to Friday, Nov. 17th at the CHS Pre-Med Club’s meeting. Jean was a guest
speaker for the club he started. Wearing the white coat of a second-year medical student at
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, he demonstrated how a surgeon closes an incision at the
end of an operation.
“We’re going to try to pierce the skin at a 90-degree angle,” said the CHS Class of 2016
alumnus, his scissor-like needle driver in hand, to the more than 20 students gathered around
him. He was working on a suture kit, piercing a fleshy sponge and not a person’s anatomy. Jean
had brought enough kits for all of the students to try closing.
Earlier in the meeting, Jean used an interactive online program to lead the club members in a left
knee replacement for a 76-year-old man.
The procedure’s first step – writing the surgeon’s initials on the knee to be replaced to prevent
“wrong site surgery” – presented a challenge for some.
“It’s the patient’s left, not your left,” Jean said to the club members.
Chasity Tedeschi, a CHS biology teacher who is the Pre-Med Club’s faculty advisor, said that
Jean and his medical school classmate, Yaxel Levin-Carrion, have been coming to club meetings
every month. Among the previous topics they discussed were the dangers of iron deficiency,
sickle cell anemia, and how to get into medical school.
“It has been a tremendous benefit to our students to have a CHS graduate come back to share his
experiences and knowledge,” Tedeschi said. “Not everybody in the club is going to medical
school. Some want to be a nurse or are interested in becoming an EMT. But they all appreciate
both medical students being here. And you can tell by the fact that they come to see them on a
Friday afternoon instead of making a break for the weekend.”
Fehinti Dottin, a CHS senior and an aspiring doctor, said that it is “extremely useful” to have
access to Jean and Levin-Carrion through the Pre-Med Club.
“Having them here, it can help you determine if you are interested in taking the path to medical
school,” Dottin said.
After Jean graduated from CHS, he went to Lehigh University. Jean’s sister, Laurine graduated
from CHS in 2017. His brother, Tedd, graduated in 2018 from a high school in Pennsylvania
where his parents now live.
Jean has his sights on specializing in cardiothoracic surgery. His interest in the field is rooted in
his experiences taking care of his grandmother who had diabetes and hypertension. As the eldest
child, Jean would regularly take his grandmother’s blood pressure and check her blood sugar
levels.
In the coming months, Jean will be taking the medical board exam. To prepare, he will need to
spend his Friday afternoons in a study group. But he expects to return to the Pre-Med Club in
May.
Seth Boyden Elementary Students Hold The School’s First Ruby Bridges Walk
Nearly 400 Seth Boyden Elementary School students took a walk on a brisk Nov. 14th afternoon to commemorate the historic bravery of a six-year-old girl named Ruby Bridges who walked to a federally desegregated public school in Louisiana on November 14, 1960 in the face of fierce racism.
“I am so proud of our students who remembered the courage of a little girl who took a stand
against racism and segregation, and showed everyone that you are never too young to make a big
difference,” said Dr. Kevin Gilbert, Acting Superintendent of the South Orange & Maplewood
School District. Gilbert was among the educational leaders who participated in the walk.
“Today, our students learned just how much a child can accomplish,” said Seth Boyden
Elementary School Principal Shannon Glander, who also joined in the walk. “I want to thank our
Fifth Grade Safety Patrol and their faculty mentors for their leadership in planning our very first
Ruby Bridges Walk.
The idea to hold a Ruby Bridges Walk To School Day on November 14th originated in 2018 with
a group of AAA School Safety Patrollers from Martin Elementary in South San Francisco. When
the Seth Boyden Fifth Grade Safety Patrol learned about the day, they began working with their
faculty mentors, Donna Friedrich and Vanessa Laforest to plan today’s walk at Seth Boyden.
At an assembly in the school’s auditorium before the walk, Friedrich gave all of the credit to the
Fifth Grade Safety Patrol members.
“They collaborated, they researched, they designed, and most importantly they brought us all
here together today to honor a civil rights icon,” Friedrich said.
Three patrol members narrated a slide presentation that recounted her being the first African-
American student to enroll at the William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans and the racist taunting by angry mobs that she was subjected to as she walked to the school.
“And now anybody of any race can go to this school,” one student said.
“She made a big difference at only the age of six,” the three students said in unison.
Other students spelled out Bridges’ first name, with each letter standing for one of her notable
characteristics – resilience, united, brave, youth.
One of the highlights of the assembly was a video-recorded message from Bridges herself in
which she encouraged everyone to dialogue with each other to make positive changes in the
world.
“We are going to need everyone we can find, especially young people, to collectively come
together to make a difference in the world,” Bridges said.
SOMS ELA Teacher Leads Students In Anti-Litter Campaign
Student-Created PSA's Aimed At Protecting Meadowland Park's Duck Pond
Take a walk around South Orange Middle School and you'll see signage created by students who care about the nearby duck pond.
"Respect Pond Biodiversity," "Help Save The Pond," and "Keep the Pond Clean So The Ducks Can Be Seem" are just a few of the slogans displayed around the school aimed at protecting the pond from any potential litterbugs.
The signage campaign started after 8th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher Amy Rowe met with members of the Meadowland Park Conservancy in September to discuss potential partnerships with the school. From out of that meeting came the idea to have SOMS students create PSAs (public service announcements) to deter students from littering, Rowe said.
About 40 PSAs are currently hanging throughout the school, Rowe said, and the effort could lead to future collaborations between the school and the conservancy.
"Ultimately, we want to have a clean-up day," Rowe said.
SOMSD 4th-Graders Perform Beethoven's Fifth At SOPAC
Annual field trip is aimed at cultivating future student musicians
Within minutes of taking their seats, hundreds of District fourth-graders performed the Fifth Symphony by Ludwig Von Beethoven at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Thursday, Nov. 16th.
Their instruments were their voices, although not everyone had the same sense of timing.
“You have to wait for the conductor,” said Brent Chancellor, conductor of the Lux Orchestra, an innovative orchestra with both emerging professionals and internationally recognized musicians.
Pointing toward the 35-piece orchestra on stage, he added, “They don’t play until I move. Here we go.”
And with a clearly conducted downbeat, the audience of fourth graders belted out one of the world’s most immortal introductions in nearly perfect unison.
“Duh-duh-duh-DAHHHHH.”
Then came the real deal. Chancellor turned to his podium and with a downward chop of both hands, the orchestra launched into the famous symphony and all of its layered dynamics.
Click the picture above to see the video.
Any rambunctiousness in the young audience was quelled by the Lux Orchestra’s performance. The students’ silence was proof positive that the field trip’s mission was being fulfilled.
“It’s all about exposure, and planting and nurturing musical seeds in our fourth grade students to encourage aspirations of playing a musical instrument,” said James Manno, Fine Arts Supervisor for the South Orange & Maplewood District.
Manno said that the annual Lux Orchestra concert for fourth graders is made possible through a partnership between the District and SOPAC’s Arts Education Department, led by Linda Beard.
“This initiative started in 2018 as an enrichment extension experience for our elementary school instrumental music program,” Manno said. “Additionally, Lux Orchestra Conductor Brent Chancellor has made it a point to utilize the District’s elementary school music teachers’ feedback to make concert refinements and choose repertoire that is relevant to our students.”
To be sure, the brass section’s rendition of “The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)” got an audience response that was nearly like Beatle fans at The Ed Sullivan Show. The inclusion of “The Harry Potter Symphony Suite” was also a big hit with the crowd.
Chancellor’s interactive banter between musical selections effectively imparted some musical concepts to the fourth-graders. By the time the students were listening to Beethoven, they had already learned the three elements of music – rhythm, melody, and harmony – and the four different sections of the orchestra – strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
South Mountain Students Get A House Call From An Anesthesiologist
Dr. Kwame Ohemeng, an anesthesiologist at Valley Hospital, visited South Mountain Elementary School on Nov. 15th. He introduced the students to the many different devices he used and he demonstrated how he intubates patients and takes care of them during surgery.
CHS Seniors Scoring Three Or Higher On AP Exams Increases By 10 Percent
The number of Columbia High School (CHS) seniors who scored three or higher on AP exams increased by 10 percent over the past two graduating classes, District officials announced this month.
A total of 205 seniors earned a score of three or higher on the exams’ five-point scale on exams that were taken in Spring 2023. In the previous year, 185 seniors earned a score of three or higher.
Many colleges and universities will award college credit for a course to a student who scores a three or higher on an AP exam.
“I am very proud of the trend that is being established by our Columbia High School students and teachers,” said Dr. Kevin Gilbert, Acting Superintendent of the South Orange and Maplewood School District. “To graduate high school with eligibility for college credit is a tremendous advantage, and we will continue our work in making the opportunity to succeed in Advanced Placement course available to every high school student.”
“Our students continue to rise to the challenge of taking rigorous courses and excelling in them,” said Columbia High School Principal Frank Sanchez. “I am very grateful to our teachers and for their work in bringing out the best in these students, to our students’ parents who give their unfailing support to their children, as well as our Counseling Department.”
High Percentage of CHS Students Taking AP Exams Earns College Board Recognition
The College Board notified Columbia High School officials that the high school was among the 38 schools of 476 eligible high schools in New Jersey, or the top 8 percent, to have a high percentage of students taking AP exams. The high ranking earned the school the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll Award with a "Gold" distinction.
For a school to be recognized on the AP School Honor Roll, it must meet each of the following
criteria:
College Culture: 40 percent or more of 2023 graduates took at least one AP exam during high
school. Of the 388 CHS graduates in 2023, 254 – or 65 percent – took at least one AP exam
while they were in high school.
College Credit: 25 percent or more of 2023 graduates scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP
exam during high school. Of the 388 CHS graduates in 2023, 205 – or 53 percent – scored a
three or higher on at least one AP exam.
College Optimization: 2 percent or more of 2023 graduates took five or more AP exams during
high school, with at least one of those exams having been taken in 9th or 10th grade.
Marshall Elementary School - Monday, November 27th
High Five!
In The Morning Rush
Visiting A Class With Principal Horn
Talking with Kate Walker, VP of the Marshall PTA
Visiting Ms. Lincoln's Class
Do I have a school district for YOU!
When Cubs Fans Find Each Other
Seth Boyden Elementary School - Tuesday, November 28th
It's A Beautiful Morning!
Connecting with one parent...
...and then another.
Warm Those Hands!
Walking With Principal Glander
Watching A Young Writer With Her Teacher
"So what are we talking about this morning?"
Montrose Early Childhood Center - Wednesday, November 29th
A young learner explains his drawing.
Saying "Hello" Before Lining Up To Go In
Learning At the Sandbox
Meeting Mr. Meyer's daughter before starting the day.
Meeting People Never Gets Old
Getting an update from Acting Principal Johnson
There's always time to stop and connect
CHS Science Teacher Recovering After Going The Distance In The NYC Marathon
After “a lesson in perseverance,” Dr. Silver says her long-distance running days aren’t over
Columbia High School (CHS) Science Teacher Dr. Bianca Silver is no stranger to overcoming challenges.
She graduated from the prestigious Stuyvesant High School in New York City where she became the Borough of Manhattan Champion in running the mile. She also holds a Princeton University doctorate in geomicrobiology, and another degree from the University of North Carolina, and she worked at Exxon-Mobil before coming to teach at CHS in 2018.
But on Sunday, November 5th, Silver was dealt a challenge she never expected as she ran the New York City Marathon.
Silver, 44, started the 26.2-mile race strong. She posted times that were competitive with her pace in the last marathon she ran – 19 years ago in Dublin, Ireland where her time was 3 hours, 22 minutes and she was the 29th woman to cross the finish line. This time in New York, she was on track for a 3-hour, 40-minute finish, and hoping for another Boston qualifying time.
But somewhere in Brooklyn, about halfway through the race, Silver began to feel a sharp, persistent pain in her left knee.
“It was heartbreaking,” she said.
Silver hobbled from Mile 13 to Mile 20, pulling over to rest on the Queensboro Bridge, and stopping at a medical assistance tent where her leg was iced. At Mile 20, she opted against a ride to get her to the finish line where her family waited. Instead, she resolved to go the distance.
“My marathon brain just wouldn’t let me quit,” Silver said. “I walked the last six miles and collapsed into a wheelchair.” Her time was 5 hours, 42 minutes. It was a far less illustrious end than when she ran the marathon in Dublin and her then-boyfriend, now-husband proposed to her at the finish line.
An MRI later revealed that Silver suffered a sprain of her left quadriceps muscle as well as a tear in the myotendinous junction in her knee. Thinking back on the race, Silver said the racecourse became extremely narrow, about the width of a parking spot, at about the twelfth mile. As spectators crowded the narrow field, Silver was forced to quickly decelerate and “bob and weave” through the runners ahead of her – all of which she suspects contributed to her injury, she said.
Silver still needs the aid of crutches as she teaches her Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science and Anatomy and Physiology classes, which she attributes to her choice to finish the race – and the two half-marathons she ran in September as part of her training.
As bad as she feels now, Silver said that she would be more upset had she opted to quit at Mile 20.
And as she recovers, Silver said her running days definitely aren’t over.
“It’s a lesson in perseverance. I’m definitely going to be back for vindication,” she said. “I’m not done. I know what I have in me.”
Tuscan Elementary School - Thursday, November 30th
The Tuscan Tigers Gather To Welcome Dr. Gilbert
Greeting Tuscan PTA President Amanda Durett Cercone
What a way to start the day!
Dr. Gilbert Gets Tuscan Swag and a Mascot
Talking about The Cubs with...well, the cubs
Walking with Principal Majeed
Let's work on this together.
MapSO Makers Robotics Teams Move on to Regional Championship
In 2019 Maplewood parent Brad Schenker and SOMS Choir Teacher Jake Ezzo created a FIRST LEGO League robotics team composed of nine seventh-grade girls from South Orange Middle School resulting in inaugural year success. This year, the MapSO Makers program, led by Schenker and Ezzo as head coaches, has found success once again!
Three MapSO Maker teams competed this year, consisting of kids that attend Maplewood Middle School and South Orange Middle School. The Yawbots, a team competing for their third and final year, were named Co-Champions of the November 18th qualifier tournament at Clifton High School. The team scored near the top in all three phases of the tournament (robot game, innovation project and robot design) and will be competing at the Regional Championship on December 9 & 10th at Mt. Olive High School.
The other teams competing this year, "Days without Electrocution” and “Teal Tigers”, also competed at the Clifton qualifier, and improved on their 2022 results. Days without Electrocution is comprised teammates Tim Finnegan, Devin Foley, and Henry O’Briant; and they are coached by Monica Hart, MaryAnn Kril, and Catherin Redd. The Teal Tigers are comprised of teammates Charles Ewing, Thomas Ewing, Teddy Hartleib, Liam O’Flanagan, and Adar Trarbach; and they are coached by Claire Dressler.
“Our region has a very short season compared to others around the world," said Schenker. "It was made even shorter when we lost use of the Columbia High School robotics space. All the kids and their coaches, stepped up, set season goals, and worked to achieve them. If everyone enjoys the experience, and wants to come back next year, we’ve done our job. Receiving awards and top honors is just more motivation to keep continuing the program.”
For MapSO Makers, the emphasis is not on the coding or engineering, but on allowing the kids to learn from failure and use essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, and leadership. The FIRST LEGO League program is just the vehicle to make this happen and helps open the program to kids and parents who may be reluctant to participate.
The program has morphed each year to adapt to the needs of the teams and the availability of everyone involved.
“We are a community program so this all happens because of the kids and their parents, who step up and volunteer to coach teams, usually made up of friends," said Ezzo. "Most of the parents do not know anything about robotics, but are willing to jump in and bring a unique experience to their kids and do it year after year.”
The program has been supported by American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood since its inception. The experience has helped several kids move on to the CHS Robotics teams and Schenker is working with the teams to create mentoring and learning opportunities for all kids in the community.
The Yawbots will compete at the FIRST LEGO League New Jersey North Challenge Championship on Sunday, December 10th. Updates on times can be found on the event page. The Yawbots coach is Atul Maharshi and the team members are Lavanya Maharshi, Alex Nasberg-Abrams, Naviya Vadlamani, and Isaac Tabachnick.
The CHS teams, the Columbia Cougars and Columbia Cubs, will be competing on December 2nd at the FRCNJ NE Edge Meet at Essex County West Caldwell Tech. Matches start around 11 a.m. and run through early afternoon.
The School District of South Orange & Maplewood
A District that celebrates diversity!
Website: www.somsd.k12.nj.us
Location: 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ, 07040
Phone: 973-762-5600
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